What You Should Know About Dehydrated Potatoes
Dehydrated potatoes are really the same as instant potatoes, and this latter term is probably more familiar to you. If you are like thousands of other USA citizens, you purchase dehydrated potatoes on a regular basis and often use them in your cooking.
Think about how often you have gone to the local greengrocer to buy dehydrated potatoes. Once a week? Twice a month? In those times that you have picked up a pack that says “Instant Potatoes,” have you ever checked the package for the list of ingredients contained in the pack? The next time you go out to buy your fave brand of dehydrated potatoes, you should try taking a look at the list of ingredients. You might be in for a shock.
Actually, we have done that to one of the cheaper brands of dehydrated products – check out its ingredients, that is. We went to our local Aldi’s and grabbed a box of “Great Worth Instant Potatoes.” You would expect the package to contain potatoes, and nothing else right? In fact, it’s just instant potatoes, so what else should be in there?
Here is a catalogue of the ingredients that are actually included in the pack of dehydrated potatoes:
– potato ( you would truly be shocked if this wasn’t included )
– monocerides (these are fats )
– diglycerides (another kind of fats )
– sodium acid pyrophosphate ( this is actually a chemical used in electroplating)
– sodium metabisulfate ( this chemical is used with antioxidants)
– citric acid ( a weak acid used for flavoring)
– BHT or butylated hydroxytoluene ( a fat and oil antioxidant which has been quite controversial in the food-processing industry)
Out of all these listed ingredients, the only one that really has business being in a pack of dehydrated potatoes is the potato itself. So what are all the other stuff doing in there? Just seeing the amount of chemicals involved in making dehydrated potatoes will make you want to think carefully about purchasing them again.
You do have the choice of making your own dehydrated potatoes. You may be sure that there are no harmful chemicals added, and you can have an excellent time making them. The method is fairly simple, and you can turn it into a fun activity for the whole family, especially if you have children around. For more data see http://www.dehydratedfoodguide.com/Articles/Dehydrated_Mushroom.php on Dehydrated Mushroom.
When making dehydrated potatoes at home, just follow these simple steps:
1. Cut your potatoes into thin slices.
2. Put them in a warm oven.
3. Keep turning them until they become crispy and dry.
4. Mash them into powder and store them in airtight containers.
You can ask your youngsters to help you in this last part. Just make certain that everything is orderly so you will not have to wash up too much afterwards.
For more information about food and useful cooking tips, check out cooking101.org and also have a look at roasting potatoes.
